Yesterday on another forum, I asked a person who works for the parent of Federal and Speer about the ammo shortage and why it seems the ammo needed by bullseye shooters seems to be scarce. What I wrote:

I know you don't set policy, but I'd like to ask why, in this time of shortages of all different kinds of ammunition and components, did the bullseye target pistol shooters seem to be the most severely impacted. CCI 22LR standard velocity, Federal Gold Medal match have been nearly impossible to find especially in any quantity. Also 45ACP and 38 special match target ammo hasn't been seen seen in my locale for some time. Neither have the bullets except recently, and almost no jacketed match bullets. Everybody and their dog is loading 38 special "ball" and defense ammo; same for 45 auto. But why can't we get at least ONE brand of match ammo? Maybe Speer Lawman loading the 148 wadcutter in 38 and 200 gr LSWC in 45Auto? Not all of us are "run and gun" types.

His reply:

I empathize with you, and wish I could help you, but you are not talking to the correct person. Having said that, I know who needs to hear your message, so I have forwarded it to our ammunition brand director.I do directly support our ammunition operations, and I can tell you we have been making the heck out of ammo. I would probably agree that all of the big numbers are for ball ammo ("run and gun" as you say), but we make all of the sku's we sell as far as I can see in day to day operations. Hopefully you can find some for your sport.

I sent an e-mail to Hornady asking pretty much the same question as I like their 185 grain JSWC. Basically they told me that since it was such a slow seller that they really didn't care about the lost sales. Being local to Sierra bullets I visited their factory and bought myself 50 pounds of 185 grain Tournament Master "seconds" for about 18 cents each. (They shoot as good or better than Hornady "firsts) Needless to say it will be a cold day before I go back to Hornady bullets.

On the Hornady topic. I wouldn't write them off completely. I have a friend in management with them. They more than likely fazed it out due to them manufacturing the new 185gr HAP. Which is a pretty accurate bullet. I used it for LEG matches this past season.

gweber wrote:On the Hornady topic. I wouldn't write them off completely. I have a friend in management with them. They more than likely fazed it out due to them manufacturing the new 185gr HAP. Which is a pretty accurate bullet. I used it for LEG matches this past season.

+1The HAP shoots better than the JSWC in my guns. I'd have to agree with Hornady the market for the JSWC is very small and when you have a better shooting bullet selling x times as many then it's an easy business decision. It always sucks when something you like gets discontinued. I'm not saying it's discontinued yet but according to their website the 185gr JSWC is "temporarily suspended".

- DaveNow I shoot Zero 185 JHP on the long line & Zero 185 LSWC-HP on the short line.

An employee at a national chain of large sporting goods stores told me they get a good supply of ammo each week, and yes, even CCI Std Vel. He went on to say certain store employees use their employee discount to purchase nearly all of the most popular ammo which they then sell at the gun shows.